Appointment in Bath

 A few years ago I explained (in great detail…) why I love Tamara Leigh’s books so very much.  Well, brace yourselves, because I’m adding another author to my “Books I’ll Actually Spend Money On” list: Mimi Matthews.  

I adore Matthews’s books for many of the same reasons I love Leigh’s: they’re clean, sweet, historical, and just oh-so romantically swoon worthy.  For some reason, I always feel the need to rationalize my love for romance novels, so here we go again.  They’re entertaining, engaging,  wonderfully addicting.  Everyone, especially fatigued English teachers who’ve trudged through Jonathan Edwards or Patrick Henry for the umpteenth time earlier in the day, needs some brain candy, and Matthews’s most recent release fits the bill.  

It was an honor to join the Launch Team for Appointment in Bath earlier this summer.  I had intended to wait and read it on our vacation, but I simply couldn’t wait that long.  I may have devoured this novel in less than a day.  Ooops. 

Appointment in Bath tells the love story of the friendly, ambitious Ivo Beresford and the shy, stammering Meg Burton-Smythe.  The lovely backdrop of the English countryside, a quiet daydreamer learning to stand up for herself, families learning to forgive and move forward, and a compelling and charming male lead-- what’s not to love?  

While Appointment in Bath technically comes in as the 4th installment of Matthews’s “Somerset Stories” series, the novel stands on its own as well.  You might not have to read the first three books, but you’ll want to.  

If you’re looking for more Mimi Matthews books to read, my favorite series is easily the “Parish Orphans of Devon,” which begins with The Matrimonial Advertisement.   

July Reads

Sorry to be late again, but ramping up for the school year has warn me out!  

• Autumn Masquerade by Josi Kilpack, Donna Hatch, and Nancy Campbell Allen 
• 5 Stars 
• This is a lovely set of three clean, Regency romance novels.  I needed something light after my adventures in Orisha, and this fit the bill beautifully! 
• Katharine Parr, the Sixth Wife by Alison Weir 
• 4 Stars 
• Weir's entire Six Tudor Queens series has been a fascinating glimpse into the lives of Henry VIII's six wives.  While I still think I prefer Phillipa Gregory's story-telling style, Weir's collection is worth the read; it's not her fault the all end sadly!
• Scarlet & Tuck by Stephen R. Lawhead 
• 4 Stars 
• I enjoyed the last two installments in Lawhead's King Raven series, but I was ready to be done reading them.  The plot twists got to be frustrating by the end.  
• The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks 
• 3 Stars 
• I skimmed through this one since I enjoyed Devolution by the same author.  It was interesting and creative if not terribly interesting. 
• The Solace of Water by Elizabeth Byler Younts 
• 5 Stars 
• This was our book club pick for July, and I adored it.  It was a beautifully real and emotional look at a unique friendship that transcended culture, race, and tragedy. 
• John Eyre: A Tale of Darkness and Shadow by Mimi Matthews 
• 4 Stars 
• Much different than Matthews's typical fare, I really loved this twist on both Jane Eyre and Frankenstein!  
• Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner 
• 5 Stars 
• I went on a Susan Meissner kick when a bestie and I made plans to attend a Book Talk for her most recent novel.  Set in London during the Blitz, I think this one might be my favorite!!  
• Breathe: Making Room for Sabbath by Priscilla Shirer 
• 4 Stars 
• Some friends and I got together to complete this study over the summer.  It was an interesting take on the idea of Sabbath, and I've already implemented weekly changes as a result. 
• As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner 
• 4 Stars 
• This Susan Meissner novel was set in Philadelphia during the 1917 Spanish Flu Pandemic.  The story was enjoyable, and the topic ironically timely! 
• The Betrayed by Kiera Cass 
• 4 Stars 
• While I didn't love this two-part series as much as I did The Selection series or The Siren, this sequel ended much more satisfactorily than its predecessor. 

June Reads

 

Happy Summer, Y'all! 

I may be a week or so late, but here's a rundown on the books I read in June: 

• The Huntress by Kate Huntress 
• 4 Stars 
• Intense, fascinating, and more than a bit stressful, I couldn't put this one down!! For those who typically read Christian Fiction, be aware that there's a homosexual relationship that plays a large role in the overall plot.  
• Devolution by Max Brooks 
• 4 Stars 
• The Hubby and I listened to this one during the first few legs of our "Great American Road Trip" (pictures of that adventures are forthcoming...).  Though there's some rough language and graphic gore, it was an enjoyable change of pace.  Volcanic eruptions and sasquatch massacres?  I was entertained.  
• Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon 
• 4 Stars 
• Lawhon chronicles the final flight of the Hindenburg from multiple perspectives in this thoroughly interesting historical-fiction novel.  I'll definitely be reading more by her in the future. 
• The Rose Code by Kate Quinn 
• 5 Stars 
• While a bit less intense than Quinn's previous two WWII novels, I adored this new release that tells the story of three female code breakers stationed in England during the war.  
• The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner 
• 3 Stars 
• I've heard rave reviews of this novel from several sources, but I just didn't love it.  The overall story was interesting, but the writing seemed choppy, the end was unsatisfying, and I personally disagreed with some of the themes woven through the narrative.  Ignore the hype and skip this one; there are better books out there.  
• Blackberry Beach by Irene Hannon 
• 4 Stars 
• Hannon's novels are essentially book versions of Hallmark movies, and I'm fine with that.  Check out my full Netgalley review here.  
• Red Rising by Pierce Brown 
• 4 Stars 
• This audiobook kept the Hubby busy for the remainder of our road trip... and it's LONG.  While I did enjoy the blend of fantasy, science fiction, and post-apocalyptic adventure, I'm not sure I'll get around to reading more of the series.  We'll see. 
• Castle of Refuge by Melanie Dickerson 
• 3 Stars 
• Why do I keep agreeing to review Dickerson's medieval fairytale retellings despite my well-documented complaints with the writing and characters?  Who knows, but I do.  
• Full review here.  
• There, There by Tommy Orange 
• 2 Stars 
• This was our Book Club choice for the month, and I was not a fan.  The premise had potential: telling the stories of urban, indigenous people whose stories all connect.  The problem, however, was that Orange failed to create characters I actually cared about-- only one was even remotely likable.  To make matters worse, Orange tried to tell too many stories utilizing too many narrative techniques.  The result was a confusing mess. 
• Round Up by Rebecca Connolly 
• 3 Stars 
• Y'all know that Connolly is one of my go-to favorites for clean, romance novels... but I didn't like this one.  Skip it.  
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi 
• 5 Stars 
• I absolutely this devoured this YA blend of fantasy and West African mythology.  I'll be purchasing this one for my classroom for sure.  
• Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi 
• 3 Stars 
• Perhaps this is just another example of the 2nd book slump in a trilogy, but this installment of the Legacy of Orisha series lacked the magic of the first.  I'll reserve final judgment for the release of the final book. 

Blackberry Beach

In this newest installment of Irene Hannon's Hope Harbor series, readers meet actress Katherine Parker and coffee shop owner Zach Garrett.  Katherine has retreated to the quaint town of Hope Harbor, Oregon to escape the limelight and paparazzi after the unexpected death of a co-star.  Despite the news that she's been offered a starring role in an A-List movie, however, Kate begins to question whether a fast-paced life in Hollywood is really where she belongs.  Having left a lucrative career behind after the death of his brother, Zach has finally found peace running a coffee shop in Hope Harbor.  When he meets his mysterious new neighbor on their shared beech, sparks immediately fly.  Will he have the courage to give his heart to a woman who might return to her old life at any minute?  Will Kate manage to figure out what she wants in life?  Would Zach potentially be a part of that equation? 

As per my expectations going in, Blackberry Beach reads like a classic Hallmark movie.  Zach was perfectly swoon worthy as the small-town hunk, and Katherine was both relatable and likable.  Having read several of Hannon's other Hope Harbor novels, I also enjoyed getting to check in on some of my favorite characters.  This particular story, however, does stand on its own for those unfamiliar with Hope Harbor, Oregon.  (Just a note: if you're looking for my favorite of the series, start with Sandpiper Cove!)  Was the plot predictable?  Yes.  Don't expect many twists, turns, or surprises, and instead just enjoy the sugary sweetness of a clean, contemporary love story.  

I received a free copy from the publisher.  No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

Castle of Refuge

Castle of Refuge, the 2nd installment in Dickerson's newest series, tells the medieval love story of Audrey and Edwin.  Audrey, the daughter of a viscount, flees her childhood home to escape her abusive sister and impending marriage to a man she does not love and finds herself at Dericott castle. The Lord of said castle, Edwin, is quickly intrigued by his mysterious and well-educated servant.  Soon, the man whom her father intended Audrey to marry appears in Dericott looking for her, and the young couple must make important deacons regarding their futures.  Can either of them learn trust another's love despite the emotional and physical scars from their pasts?  

While Dickerson bills this as a retelling of "The Ugly Duckling," I didn't quite see the parallel.  Despite this, and the fact that I had not read the first novel of this Dericott series, I enjoyed the story as much as I ever enjoy Dickerson's work.  It was predictable, slightly shallow, and heavy-handed with the obvious character development, but an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon if you don't have to have to think too hard.  If you've liked her many other medieval fairy tale retellings, you'll enjoy this one.  

I received a free copy from the publisher.  No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

May Reads

 

• Lore by Alexandra Bracken 
• 5 Stars 
• I saw this book described as The Hunger Games meets Greek mythology, and the description is apt.  I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would enthusiastically recommend it to any fan of mythology or YA lit. 
• Hood by Stephen R. Lawhead 
• 4 Stars 
• The first in a trilogy, Hood retells the Robin Hood story set in Wales in the generation after the Norman Invasion.  While it took me a while to get invested in the story, it eventually got me, and I plan to read the next two books as well.  
• Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys 
• 5 Stars 
• I read this YA historical-fiction novel in about two days and loved every minute of it. Not only is the writing beautifully done, but the subject matter was utterly fascinating, heartbreaking, and new to me.  Somehow, I had never heard of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, but I'm glad I have now! 
• The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton 
• 5 Stars 
• A mystery set across three generations and two continents, I couldn't put this one down! 
• The Heart's Charge 
• 5 Stars 
• See my full review here of this fun 2nd installment in Witemeyer's Hanger's Horsemen series.  
• The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff 
• 4 Stars 
• While I found the ending a bit unsatisfying, this WWII spy story provided a intriguing glimpse into Britain's SAS. 
• Bad Blood by John Carreyrou 
• 3 Stars 
• Once the author began to tell the story of his own involvement in the downfall of Elizabeth Holmes and the ill-fated biotech startup, Theranos, the book really picked up.  Getting to that 60% mark, however, was a bit of a drudge.   
• When Twilight Breaks Sarah Sundin 
• 5 Stars 
• Despite the slightly heavy-handed character development typical in Sundin's work, I absolutely loved this story set in pre-WWII Austria.  
• Lawless by Tamara Leigh 
• 4 Stars 
• A much as I anticipated this series from Leigh set in the years following the Battle of Hastings and William the Conqueror's reign, it just hasn't captivated me like her Age of Faith series did (Read my gushing tribute here). I still devoured it in a matter of hours.  I still enjoyed the story.  I'll still buy every other book she writes.  

The Heart's Charge

 

In this second installment of her Hanger's Horsemen series, Karen Witemeyer uniquely tells the story of two couples: Mark Wallace and Katherine Palmer alongside Jonah Brooks and Eliza Southerland.  Mark and Jonah, whom readers have met in the previous installment, run into Kate and Eliza while delivering a baby to the foundling home the women run.  Will Mark and Kate-- who almost married one another back East years before-- gradually learn to trust again and communicate with one another?  Will Eliza, who has never felt as if she belonged anywhere, learn to accept Jonah's attentions despite his own secrets? 

Before reading The Heart's Charge, I was skeptical on two counts: that telling two love stories simultaneously would prove confusing, and that Witemeyer, despite good intentions, would struggle writing a story from two black characters' perspectives.  Luckily, she proved me wrong on both counts.  I actually enjoyed the double love story; it seemed to make the plot move more quickly, and there was no need to add pointless or frustrating obstacles for the characters to overcome before the "happily ever after."  Similarly, I thought Witemeyer handled the race issue beautifully.  She certainly didn't shy away from the struggles Eliza and Jonah had faced in society, history, culture, etc.  While I enjoyed At Love's Command, the first Hanger's Horseman novel, I definitely prefer this second one! 

I received a free copy from the publisher.  No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.